Thinking of Tahoe conjures up visions of snow-covered ski slopes, hot chocolate and squealing kids tobogganing on snowy hills. But I visited last weekend and was delighted to discover a completely different side to this popular Northern California destination. Spring is a great time to visit Tahoe when the weather is just starting to warm up. There are still patches of snow for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing high up in the mountains, but the valleys and meadows are already starting to turn green. Tahoe offers a multitude of great hiking trails and late spring and summer are some of the best times to do water activities like swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing and boating.
Emerald Bay and Fannette Island
During our visit, we got lucky with sunny skies that brought out the gorgeous blues of Tahoe. Having heard a lot about Vikingsholm trail, we decided to do the hike and see it for ourselves. Vikingsholm trail is located in Emerald Bay State Park in South Lake Tahoe. Chances are you’ve already seen Emerald Bay when driving on the scenic roads in Tahoe. It’s a large water body connected to the lake, boasting the only island in all of Tahoe. Surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and dense tree lines, Emerald Bay is a very pretty sight.
Sign at Vikingsholm Trailhead
The trailhead starts from the parking lot at Emerald Bay State Park reachable by driving on Hwy 89. The views from across the parking lot are stunning, presenting a panoramic vista of the surrounding mountains, Emerald Bay and Fannette Island. The Vikingsholm trail (2 miles roundtrip and 400 ft elevation change) is steep and goes downhill all the way. But the picturesque views along the hike are sure to keep your spirits high. Carry hiking poles to help with the steep parts downhill and for hiking back up.
Waterfalls along the trail
As we hiked down the trail, we came across several gurgling waterfalls. These are a result of snowmelt runoff, indicating that spring had arrived. Since it was still early in the season, we did not pass many other hikers. But remember that Vikingsholm trail is very popular in summer and the parking lot can get full early in the day.
Another waterfall gushing along as a result of snowmelt runoff
The trail gets steep in places but is mostly a gentle downhill slope. We passed several of these waterfalls which provided a nice background to the chirping birds and other sounds of nature. A few switchbacks and we soon reached the end of the trail as it flattened out and led towards the bay.
Emerald Bay
A vast view of the bay greets you at the end of the trail. You can see Emerald Bay and the opening to Lake Tahoe that connects the two. Sandy beaches lead up to this spot which is a great place for swimming in summer. Kayakers often make their way from Lake Tahoe into Emerald Bay and spend their time exploring Fannette island and lazing on the beaches.
Picturesque Fannette Island and the “teahouse”
There is a teahouse atop Fannette Island that can be hiked to, but the island is reachable only by kayak or boat. It makes a great side-trip from Emerald Bay. Imagine sitting at the teahouse on top of a tiny island in the middle of vast Emerald Bay with views of Lake Tahoe on one side and Vikingsholm on the other! Note that the teahouse is not functional, it is a remnant of the grand days when Vikingsholm Castle was lived in.
Find your zen moment at Emerald Bay State Park
The sandy beaches at the end of the Vikingsholm trail are a great place to relax after the steep downhill hike. Picnic benches are strewn around and the place gets a lot of visitors in summer. Since we were there early in the season, we had the place all to ourselves. Logs of chopped wood set upright made for handy seats as we took in the views.
The pier at Emerald Bay
Walking along the beach led us to a pier which is popular with kids who use it to jump off into the water for dives. A smattering of snow still covered the mountains above us. We were tempted to get into the water for a swim, but touching the surface of the lake proved its still cold. Maybe if we had a wetsuit …
Shades of turquoise blue and emerald green
Climbing onto the pier provides a superb birds-eye view. The namesake blue-green shades of Emerald Bay are clearly visible from here. We spotted areas of the bay colored with shimmering green, blue and brown. I’m not sure if the coloring is due to minerals or bacteria, but it’s a beautiful effect all the same.
Vikingsholm Castle in all its glory
Turning away from the pier, we spotted a vision hidden amidst the trees. Vikingsholm castle is as magnificent as its name. It is a tad surreal but intriguing to find an enormous castle in the middle of Lake Tahoe. Completed in 1929 and built by Lora Josephine Knight, the castle has been constructed in true Scandinavian style. Visitors can tour inside the castle in summer, we only got to admire it from outside since the tours had not yet started for the season. Read more about Vikingsholm interesting history and story here.
Carved wood work on the exteriors of the castle
Intricate details adorn the Vikingsholm Castle, from superbly carved wooden accents to stained-glass windows. The castle is constructed in Scandinavian style, and some parts of the castle are built with no nails or pegs of any sort. Vikingsholm makes an imposing and grand statement in Lake Tahoe.
Scandinavian doorways lead into majestic Vikingsholm castle
We loved the carvings and designs on the doorways and exteriors of Vikingsholm. I can only imagine what the interiors must look like. People who’ve been inside say it’s like time travel to the medieval times. We’ll definitely be back again in summer to tour the castle.
On the pier at Emerald Bay State Park
With that, it was time to hike back up the trail. With frequent stops to catch our breath and take in the scenic views, we made it back to the parking lot in good time. I highly recommend this hike if you’re visiting Lake Tahoe. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and get some exercise. The trail is wide and well maintained, which makes this a perfect hike for families and children. We will be back again in summer to see Vikingsholm Castle. If you’ve been inside Vikingsholm castle or have done this hike, would love to hear from you in the comments.
Happy Hiking!
~ Trupti